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ashleythebard's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Racism and Sexual assault
Moderate: Police brutality and Racial slurs
almirareads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Racism, Blood, Murder, Classism, Death, and Police brutality
Moderate: Death of parent
jillkaarlela's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Another fun fact about the author, Jumata Emill is that he used to be a crime reporter! I think this really helped his story, and made him able to write such a great mystery.
Age rating: 14+ (language)
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Police brutality, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Rape, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, and Suicide
clare072's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Racism, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Infidelity, Murder, and Pedophilia
Minor: Blood, Cancer, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Abortion, Rape, and Vomit
anna_wa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Police brutality, Bullying, Death, Addiction, Murder, Alcoholism, Blood, Emotional abuse, Grief, Racism, Gaslighting, Hate crime, and Infidelity
Moderate: Abortion, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Death of parent, Incest, and Pedophilia
Minor: Vomit and Abandonment
psistillreadyou's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Racism, Police brutality, Child death, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Drug use, Cancer, Suicide, Rape, Pregnancy, and Death of parent
jillianelis_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Black Queen absolutely lived up to my expectations. While I kind of figured out the killer really early on, the story still had me on the edge of my seat! Nova slightly reminded me of Laura Palmer from Twin Peaks (murdered homecoming Queen who was full of secrets), and I wish we got to see more of her in life before she died. I would absolutely read a book about Nova’s life because I wanted to know more about her, her life in Virginia, how she became friends with Duchess, etc. All of the characters felt very real and fleshed out as well, and the handling of difficult topics was both sensitive and honest at every turn. I can’t wait to read whatever Jumata Emill writes next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.
Graphic: Child death, Racism, Violence, Murder, Grief, Death, Emotional abuse, and Bullying
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Cancer, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Classism, and Infidelity
Minor: Police brutality and Abortion
shereadytoread's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I loved the mystery elements. I thought the plot had great pacing, was well-layered, and the MCs each have complex full lives. I think if you are interested in this book it is definitely worth your time to read.
However, where this book fell flat for me is the centering of a wealthy white girl in the story of the death of a black girl. I understand why the two MCs work together, but it feels like the "plot twists" and the active choices are all related to the white MC rather than both characters having a balanced presence. That is not to say that I didn't like the book, but it wasn't the story I was looking for.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted finished copy.
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Police brutality
imstephtacular's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Classism, Police brutality, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Child abuse, Gun violence, Bullying, Cancer, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Cursing, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abortion, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, and Cultural appropriation
caseythereader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
- THE BLACK QUEEN is a YA thriller that digs in deep to issues of race and class. I think fans of Tiffany D. Jackson will want to check this one out.
- At first I was unsure of the dual POV, switching back and forth between Duchess and Tinsley, because it felt so strange to get the perspective of the white person who was doing the harm. However, the more I think about it, the more important I think that might be to include in a YA novel, to allow kids to either see themselves in Tinsley and learn from it or see their classmates and have their feelings validated.
- Not only does THE BLACK QUEEN have real, messy characters, but it has twist after twist. You won't be able to put it down.
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Abandonment, Blood, Death, Infidelity, Murder, Pedophilia, Bullying, Classism, Cursing, Medical content, Alcohol, Child death, Grief, and Vomit
Moderate: Rape, Death of parent, Abortion, and Police brutality